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Rivers APC Holds Prayer Rally For Tinubu, Shettima
Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State , Sir Tony Okocha has described the victory of the party at the 2023 Presidential election in Rivers State as historic as he acknowledged that it was the first time the party excelled in the polls in the state since 2015 .
Okocha also commended , the out going Governor of the State, Chief Nyesom Wike whom he described as a goal getter, for his belief and commitment to power shift to the South and for his role in the victory of the party in the state .
The APC, leader and the national Director of the Tinubu / Shettima Grassroots Independent Campaign Council (TSGICC) made this known in his speech at the Rivers State prayer session held at the weekend at the Unity Fountain , Abuja for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President-elect and Kashim Shettima, the Vice President-elect as they take the reins of power.
In his remarks, Okocha noted that Rivers has since 2015 been in opposition to Power at the centre but expressed hope that this time t, he State is connected to the Tinubu / Shettima Presidency andthat would translate to more development and dividends of democracy to the people
He also said the fact that the date allocated to Rivers APC for the Prayer session coincided with the 50th anniversary of the State indicates that the state is now better positioned.
According to Okocha, Rivers State prayer session was one of the ways to solidarise with their principal (Tinubu).
Speaking on the leadership capacity of the President, Okocha said: Tinubu is an achiever .
His words “For performance, take that to the bank, he has got the experience, he is not new in the business.
“One thing that made me support Tinubu was the fact that he said he wants to be president, not that people have asked him to come and become president. When you make up your mind that you want to do a thing, you have prepared yourself against the rains and the sun.
“We pray for the wisdom and the strength to carry on for him, we need to be visionary, we want him to be focused, we need all the wisdom and courage and the boldness to take decisions no matter how difficult it is.
On the expectations of the state from the Tinubu/ Shettima Presidency he said ,
“Now that Rivers State is in the bag, we should be making demands, in politics, when you are on the table, you tell the people this is what I brought to the table so this is what I demand.
“There is a difference between making demands and making request, so you demand for your rights while others who didn’t succeed will be requesting for help, so as for us, this is our own time and knowing the relationship between the President, and the Governor of Rivers State who was a spin doctor. Without Wike, it would have been a bit difficult to win Rivers State.
“Since 2015, Rivers State has been at the opposition at the national level. In 2015, we scored less than 10 per cent for Muhammadu Buhari. In 2019, it was worst, but in 2023, APC Rivers did not only score 25 per cent, we won overwhelmingly.
“I want on your behalf send our gratitude to one lion of the South South, the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike who introduced us to national politics.”
Reverend Christian Nweze Ahiakwo, who presided over the prayer session, said the event was to seek God’s face for the successful administration of the president-elect as all power comes from the almighty.
His words “Nigeria is transiting to a new season and God bless the APC that we are having a rebirth of Presidency, it is a thing of success and joy and it is worth celebrating.
“For the success of the inauguration, we have programmed a prayer sessions for all the states ahead of the inauguration,” he said.
Mrs Grace Eke , a participant at the prayer session noted that Rivers State expects nothing less than fair share from the incoming government and prayed for a smooth hand over at all levels .
The Tinubu / Shettima pre inauguration prayers was done by all – state chapters of the APC at allotted times .
By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja
The programme, which targets vulnerable residents in rural communities, is designed to stimulate local economies, reduce poverty, promote environmental sustainability and discourage youth restiveness through community-based public works.
The Technical Head of Climate-Smart Labour-Intensive Public Works (LIPW) under RIVCARES, Engr Prince Enyindah, disclosed this during the training and orientation programme organised for beneficiaries across the three senatorial districts in Saakpenwa, Ahoada and Port Harcourt.
Enyindah explained that the 5,500 beneficiaries were selected from the Rivers State Social Register, stressing that they would be engaged in environmental sanitation and other climate-friendly activities within their respective communities.
He noted that the programme was upgraded from the former Rivers COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Scheme to the Rivers State Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus programme, with climate-smart interventions incorporated into its operations.
According to him, the monthly stipend for beneficiaries has been increased from N15,000 to ¦ 20,000, payable for 12 months, with the possibility of a review after the initial one-year period.
He urged the beneficiaries to appreciate the state government under Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the initiative and encouraged them to invest their monthly stipends in productive economic activities that could improve their financial conditions.
Speaking in Saakpenwa, headquarters of Tai Local Government Area, Enyindah explained that beneficiaries would be responsible for activities aimed at improving sanitation, hygiene and environmental conditions in their communities.
He listed the areas of intervention to include clearing community footpaths, cleaning drainages and gutters, maintaining market places, town halls, community playgrounds and traditional rulers’ palaces.
He also urged the beneficiaries to discourage indiscriminate tree felling as part of efforts to promote environmental protection and climate resilience.
At Ahoada, headquarters of Ahoada East Local Government Area, where beneficiaries from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Abua/Odual Local Government Areas received their training, the RIVCARES technical head emphasised that the programme was not politically motivated.
He maintained that the beneficiaries were selected through the state Social Register and cautioned against individuals or political actors claiming personal credit for their recruitment.
Enyindah further disclosed that plans were underway to provide beneficiaries with additional vocational and entrepreneurial skills to enhance their capacity to generate income beyond the monthly stipends.
Speaking with journalists, he explained that the programme was specifically designed to stimulate economic activities in rural communities, alleviate poverty and address factors contributing to youth restiveness.
He observed that prolonged unemployment and lack of income among rural residents could expose some individuals to social crises, adding that the monthly financial support would provide beneficiaries with some economic relief.
“If you look at the programme, it is an economic stimulus programme. You discover that there are people who stay in our rural communities from day one to the end of the month without getting a dime, and that can make them put their hands into crisis.
“But when somebody who is not getting anything is given ¦ 20,000 at the end of the month, it will make a little meaning to the person,” he said.
He explained that the programme currently covers all 23 local government areas of Rivers State, with approximately 234 beneficiaries allocated to each council area.
Enyindah described the ongoing exercise as the first phase of the intervention, noting that subsequent phases would be expanded as additional resources became available.
He therefore appealed to the state government to provide more counterpart funding to enable the programme to accommodate additional beneficiaries across the local government areas.
According to him, the previous phase of the intervention recorded significant achievements, particularly in addressing youth restiveness and providing economic opportunities for vulnerable residents.
Also speaking at Ahoada, the Head of Operations, Labour-Intensive Public Works, Mr Wilson Ihunwo, encouraged the beneficiaries to prepare for the responsibilities associated with the programme and make meaningful contributions to the maintenance of public facilities in their communities.
He explained that the beneficiaries would be encouraged to take ownership of public utilities and ensure their proper maintenance for the benefit of residents.
Similarly, the Head of Gender-Based Violence under RIVCARES, Jennifer Bishop, cautioned against gender discrimination, harassment and other forms of workplace misconduct.
She urged male beneficiaries to invest their stipends responsibly, while advising female beneficiaries to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and avoid inappropriate advances towards their supervisors.
Some beneficiaries, including Chiwendu Dukuma from ONELGA, Oby Joseph from Abua/Odual and Odema Kingsley from Omalem Community in Abua, expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Government for including them in the programme.
They pledged to utilise the financial support responsibly and invest their earnings in productive ventures, while appealing to the government to sustain and expand the initiative to accommodate more vulnerable residents.
The RIVCARES Community Workforce Programme is expected to combine temporary employment opportunities with environmental improvement, community development and economic empowerment across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Passport, District 9141, has unveiled a N28 million intervention plan targeting healthcare delivery, peacebuilding, education, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, and environmental protection during the new Rotary year.
The new President of the club, Rotarian Noble Uranta, disclosed this shortly after his induction as the 7th President, explaining that his administration would align its programmes with Rotary International’s global mission and seven areas of focus.
Uranta said each area would receive dedicated attention and resources to ensure that the club’s interventions deliver meaningful and sustainable benefits to its host communities.
He identified the areas of focus as peacebuilding and conflict prevention, disease prevention and treatment, water, sanitation and hygiene, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and environmental protection, among others.
Giving a breakdown of the proposed interventions, the Rotary President said the club had earmarked ¦ 2 million for peacebuilding and conflict prevention through community dialogue forums and mediation training aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence and resolving disputes.
He disclosed that ¦ 3.5 million would be committed to disease prevention and treatment through medical outreaches, vaccination drives and health awareness campaigns.
On water, sanitation and hygiene, Uranta said N3million had been allocated to borehole projects and hygiene education in schools to improve access to clean water and promote healthier communities.
He further announced that N2.5 million would be devoted to maternal and child health initiatives, including the provision of safe delivery kits and nutrition programmes to improve the wellbeing of mothers and children.
For basic education and literacy, the club plans to invest N13 million in scholarships, literacy campaigns and the provision of computers to schools to improve learning opportunities and bridge the digital divide.
Similarly, N2.5 million has been earmarked for environmental protection initiatives, including tree-planting campaigns and waste recycling programmes to promote environmental sustainability.
The proposed interventions, according to Uranta, represent the club’s commitment to extending its humanitarian services and creating measurable improvements in the lives of people within its areas of operation.
He assured members that his administration would prioritise impactful projects that address community needs and contribute to sustainable development.
The new President also solicited the cooperation and support of club members, stressing that their collective commitment would be essential to achieving the objectives of his administration during the Rotary year.Rotary Club Unveils ¦ 28m Budget for Healthcare, Education, Peacebuilding, Others
The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Passport, District 9141, has unveiled a ¦ 28 million intervention plan targeting healthcare delivery, peacebuilding, education, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, and environmental protection during the new Rotary year.
The new President of the club, Rotarian Noble Uranta, disclosed this shortly after his induction as the 7th President, explaining that his administration would align its programmes with Rotary International’s global mission and seven areas of focus.
Uranta said each area would receive dedicated attention and resources to ensure that the club’s interventions deliver meaningful and sustainable benefits to its host communities.
He identified the areas of focus as peacebuilding and conflict prevention, disease prevention and treatment, water, sanitation and hygiene, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and environmental protection, among others.
Giving a breakdown of the proposed interventions, the Rotary President said the club had earmarked ¦ 2 million for peacebuilding and conflict prevention through community dialogue forums and mediation training aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence and resolving disputes.
He disclosed that ¦ 3.5 million would be committed to disease prevention and treatment through medical outreaches, vaccination drives and health awareness campaigns.
On water, sanitation and hygiene, Uranta said ¦ 3 million had been allocated to borehole projects and hygiene education in schools to improve access to clean water and promote healthier communities.
He further announced that ¦ 2.5 million would be devoted to maternal and child health initiatives, including the provision of safe delivery kits and nutrition programmes to improve the wellbeing of mothers and children.
For basic education and literacy, the club plans to invest ¦ 13 million in scholarships, literacy campaigns and the provision of computers to schools to improve learning opportunities and bridge the digital divide.
Similarly, ¦ 2.5 million has been earmarked for environmental protection initiatives, including tree-planting campaigns and waste recycling programmes to promote environmental sustainability.
The proposed interventions, according to Uranta, represent the club’s commitment to extending its humanitarian services and creating measurable improvements in the lives of people within its areas of operation.
He assured members that his administration would prioritise impactful projects that address community needs and contribute to sustainable development.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described the late Chief Albert Korubo Horsfall as a distinguished statesman whose contributions to national development brought honour and distinction to the Kalabari Kingdom and Rivers State.
Fubara said Horsfall’s life of service, patriotism, integrity and commitment to humanity had left an enduring legacy that would continue to inspire generations.
The governor spoke through the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Dagogo Wokoma, at the funeral service of the late elder statesman last Saturday in Buguma, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the State.
He described Horsfall as a patriotic Nigerian whose leadership and dedication to the country’s development earned him a place in the nation’s history.
“Chief Horsfall was a distinguished statesman whose life was defined by service, patriotism, integrity and commitment to humanity.
“His contributions to our nation, particularly through his service as Director-General of the State Security Service, pioneer Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency and Chairman of OMPADEC, remain significant milestones in our national history,” Fubara said.
The governor noted that the late Horsfall’s contributions to national security, intelligence administration and the development of the Niger Delta would remain part of his enduring legacy.
“His legacy of leadership, national service and dedication to development will remain an enduring source of inspiration to generations yet unborn,” he added.
Fubara urged the bereaved family, the Kalabari people and other Nigerians to uphold the values of peace, unity and selfless service exemplified by the late elder statesman.
The funeral service attracted several dignitaries, including the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), a representative of the Bayelsa State Governor, the Managing Director of NDDC, Chairman of PENDEF and the Regent of the Kalabari Kingdom.
Also in attendance were the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, the Commissioner for Special Projects and other government officials, traditional rulers and stakeholders.
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